Barry Fitzgerald

Barry Fitzgerald

Paramount Pictures

The Irish actor, right, won the supporting actor Oscar for 1944s Going My Way, for his performance as the crusty but warmhearted Father Fitzgibbon. But he almost didnt make it to the Academy Awards. A month before the academy announced the nominees, Fitzgerald was on trial for manslaughter involving an elderly woman he hit with his car on Hollywood Boulevard. Not only was he found not guilty, but the judge also chastised the police for ordering the actor to stand trial. Fitzgeralds popularity soared after he was found not guilty. According to Inside Oscar, one columnist wrote  Barry Fitzgerald has suddenly snuck up and become everybodys dream man.

The Irish actor, right, won the supporting actor Oscar for 1944s Going My Way, for his performance as the crusty but warmhearted Father Fitzgibbon. But he almost didnt make it to the Academy Awards. A month before the academy announced the nominees, Fitzgerald was on trial for manslaughter involving an elderly woman he hit with his car on Hollywood Boulevard. Not only was he found not guilty, but the judge also chastised the police for ordering the actor to stand trial. Fitzgeralds popularity soared after he was found not guilty. According to Inside Oscar, one columnist wrote  Barry Fitzgerald has suddenly snuck up and become everybodys dream man. (Paramount Pictures)

The Irish actor, right, won the supporting actor Oscar for 1944s Going My Way, for his performance as the crusty but warmhearted Father Fitzgibbon. But he almost didnt make it to the Academy Awards. A month before the academy announced the nominees, Fitzgerald was on trial for manslaughter involving an elderly woman he hit with his car on Hollywood Boulevard. Not only was he found not guilty, but the judge also chastised the police for ordering the actor to stand trial. Fitzgeralds popularity soared after he was found not guilty. According to Inside Oscar, one columnist wrote  Barry Fitzgerald has suddenly snuck up and become everybodys dream man.